Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Flying Solo














Finally had a morning free to get out with the 2011 Kelt King, but at O'dark thirty I get the text that six inches of powder just dropped on the hill he opted for a day of tele and powder instead. Though too many knee surgeries have kept me from ever skiing, I understand just like in rivers that are in prime shape, you only have good opportunities a few times a year to ski on powder. So with that in mind and a warm body in bed next to me, getting out early went out the door. Hours later while attending to breakfast, I realized chores would again have to wait again for another day and finally got out the door to fish a local.

I do not fish solo much anymore in the Winter. If I am going to get out for some good casting practice, I might as well have a buddy tag along. But with a busy schedule these days, you sometimes got to take any opportunity to get out. This was one of those days that made it worth it. When approaching the run I wanted to fish, I ran into three guys about to fish the run I wanted to wet a fly in. After chatting it up for a while, talking about conservation issues and how the fishing was for them that morning I went upstream to explore new water. After working hard through a long run, I took a drive back down to where I ran into those guys.

Finding the run open was a signal to me that apparently there was not any fish to be bad in the run, at least that is what I thought to myself. The guys fishing the run were fishing both flies and jigs and already touched a couple fish that weekend. Working through the run and seeing a fish roll as I worked my way into the tailout, I finally at the end of a swing get a tug. After casting a few more time with nothing I switched to a darker fly and repeat with a similar tug. Minutes later I head back to the head of the run and start stepping again and a half dozen casts later I loose my loop and a tug of war began. This fish didn't run much, just sat there head shaking and moving back and forth in the current. As I brought it to the bank I realized this was the one. The one being if you have to land one fish a year, this is the one.

After bringing it to the bank in the fast current and bushes on the bank, I new it would be difficult to tail it. But after a few minutes, we shook hands and he went back on his way. A magnificent football sized buck. Though I thought the day could not get any better, I walked back to the head of the run and when I stood there casting and stepping, I started to notice fish after fish purposing and jumping in the run. A half dozen casts later I was in my backing with an acrobatic hen flipping me the tail in disgust of a hook embeded in her upper lip. This acrobat wore herself out in the air. I could not believe how many times she took flight, especially in 42 degree water. Minutes later she was on the bank and I had to end my day.

Vision Cult 7134

















What a great day and it goes to show you that sometimes luck and just getting out the door is a must. I really wish I could have shared that day with a good buddy, but it sure was better then getting chores done around the house. Man this has been a great Winter! Hope your flies are finding paydirt as well.

6 comments:

BLUEANGLER said...

What a fish! good read! Mike

Just call me Gamby said...

dude! Sweet!

Marty Sheppard said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
mia said...

There's something to said about fishing alone. Sometimes it's the best way to roll.

Apocalypse Now, Steelhead said...

great job mike, a well deserved day of fishing to say the least.

Unknown said...

sweet mike. glad you had a good one.